Veranilda eBook

’Has not the King Totila welcomed and honourably
entertained Romans who have embraced his cause?’

‘Come now,’ exclaimed the other, his sad
visage lighting up, ’that is to speak like a
man! So, we do understand each other.
Be it known unto you then, O Basil, that at this moment
the Gothic king is aware of your love for Veranilda,
and of your purpose to espouse her. You indeed
are a stranger to him, even in name; but not so the
Anician house; and an Anician, be assured, will meet
with no cold reception in the camp of the Goths.’

‘You enjoy the confidence of Totila?’
asked Basil, wondering, and a little confused.

’Did I not tell you that I claimed the merit
of playing traitor to both sides?’

Marcian spoke with a note of bitterness, looking his
friend fixedly in the face.

‘It is a noble treachery,’ said Basil,
seizing both his hands. ’I am with you,
heart and soul! Tell me more. Where is the
king? Will he march upon Rome?’

’Neapolis will see him before Rome does.
He comes slowly through Samnium, making sure his conquest
on the way. Let me now speak again of Venantius.
He would fain know you.’

‘He is one of ours?’

’One of those true Romans who abhor the Eastern
tyranny and see in the Goth a worthy ally. Will
you ride with me to-morrow to Nuceria?’

‘I cannot,’ replied Basil, ’for
I dare not leave Veranilda without protection, after
what you have told me.’

‘Why, then, Venantius must come hither.’

Whilst the friends were thus conversing a courier
rode forth from Surrentum towards Neapolis. He
bore a letter whereof the contents were these:—­

’I am most punctually informed of all that passes
at the villa. My nephew goes not to Rome; his
place will be taken by Decius. The reason is
that which I have already suggested to your Sanctity.
Marcian has arrived this afternoon, coming I know not
whence, but I shall learn. I suspect things of
the darkest moment. Let your Sanctity pursue
the project with which heaven has inspired you.
You shall receive, if necessary, two missives every
day. Humbly I entreat your prayers.’

CHAPTER VII

HERESY

The Roman Empire, by confining privileges and honours
to the senatorial order, created a noble caste, and
this caste, as Imperial authority declined, became
a power independent of the state, and a menace to
its existence. In Italy, by the end of the fifth
century, the great system of citizenship, with its
principle of infinite devotion to the good of the
commonwealth, was all but forgotten. In matters
of justice and of finance the nobles were beginning
to live by their own law, which was that of the right
of the strongest. Having ceased to hold office